The bridge to the Bund was long and vast. Like the ones from big cities of well-known countries Elizabeth remembered being told by her late husband. Well-constructed and protective. For both public transportations and for walking. And people seemed so lively in the night unlike the citizens from the capital she visited before.
And speaking of people, Elizabeth couldn't help but notice unusual traits of them in the Bund. Their eyes were of diverse colors other than blue, brown, black or gray. The adults in the Bund seemed to exceed the average heights of normal humans. Men seem to be close to 2 meters at best, while women were more than 6 ft tall as she had never seen a woman less than 5 '9. She felt like a child compared to them.
As she is 5 feet and a half now.
Walking past the guards, she didn't notice one was following them until she heard a "boo!" from behind as she jumped in surprise as Mr. Ages was lifted up.
"Reveal thy name!" the young guard grinned playfully.
Out of brief fright, she was about to reach her hand in the bag but sees Mr. Ages' annoyed expressions as she slowly relaxed.
"JUSTIN! You FEATHER-HEAD! Put me down!" the old doctor groaned, managed to be put down.
The guard chuckled as he let go.
"Just a harmless prank, I meant no harm."
Mr. Ages sighed, rolled his eyes in frustration and mumbled inaudible words in annoyance, then noticed the head guard glanced at Elizabeth's direction.
"Who, may I ask?" the young man asked, smiling as Mrs. Brisby shyly fidgeted.
"Oh, yes, yes, she can be trusted. This is no stranger." Mr. Ages responded quickly.
Mrs. Brisby glanced up at the tall, young guard in front of her. The man took off his formal head guard cap, revealing an ombre of brown to dirty blond hair. He had a pair of dark red eyes that strangely had a warm glint on them. Fair complexion that could put pearl in shame, yet he has broad shoulders, masculine features in white shirt with black strap laces replacing the buttons of collar, dark blue vest, pair of long black pants and brown military boots.
"My dear, may I present Justin Strauss," The doctor introduced the man to her, "a captain of the guards."
Justin stood straight, proud. He saluted respectfully. Embarrassed by her own humble attire, Elizabeth kept her cloak covering her white nightdress and curtsied in the manner of a lady.
"Justin, this is Mrs. Brisby." The doctor introduced her to the guards' captain.
The captain's eyes widened at the mention of surname. A last name belonged to Jonathan Brisby. He recalled the day he attended the funeral of his admired comrade and was taken back in surprise to see Jonathan's wife and children. He couldn't see the widow's face back then due to the black mantilla veil concealing her face. But, this was the first time to encounter his deceased friend and hero's widow in person, face revealed.
"Mrs. Jonathan Brisby?" he nearly gaped.
"Yes, the same." Mr. Ages responded.
Justin bowed grandly before her in chivalrous demeanor. She did not realize it, but he must have been slightly taller than Jonathan. His strong yet gentle hand held hers with utmost care.
"It is an honor and privilege, milady."
Elizabeth blushed more. Other than her husband, she never liked how other men grabbed her hand. Justin's was cool as a night breeze with nails slightly longer than normal men's, yet very kind and careful not to hurt her hand. Just like Jonathan's.
"If we could dispense with formalities!" Mr. Ages sighed as he walked ahead as Justin and Elizabeth followed.
Through the bridge was a wide street with shops, stores and public areas. Several guards noticed the trio, but gave their salutation to Justin who waved in return. Marveled at the lights, Elizabeth's eyes sparkled.
"How beautiful…" she muttered, impressed.
"Ma'am?"
"Ah, the lights here…, they're quite lovely." Mrs. Brisby blushed.
Justin grinned, watching the widow's eyes gleam with innocent surprise.
"Yes, they are. Our Bund had electricity for over four years." He answered, putting his hands behind.
"Five, actually." Mr. Ages corrected him.
"Has been over a decade since the Bund's foundation, as well."
"A decade…?" Elizabeth blinked, "Jonathan often spoke of electricity and magic before…."
"But you see, to our shame…, is that all electricity was stolen," Justin looked front, "from enemy nations, during war."
"An electricity from war…?"
"Even weapons, the machines…," Mr. Ages sighed, "but that is going to change."
"He means we're working on the Plan." Justin added.
"Oh, we DO have a plan." The doctor rolled his eyes.
Elizabeth then heard a sound of automobiles as they were driving the road past them. One of the automobiles was bigger. Justin quickly placed the widow behind him protectively, in case she would get hurt.
"Now what…" Mr. Ages groaned.
"It's Jenner Winford," the guards' captain's tone was serious, "he's at it again. He'd be heading to the council to attack Nicodemus openly."
Mrs. Brisby tilted her head. Jenner Winford. Somehow, she found the name familiar. Jonathan used to tell her about the comrades and military officers he met during his serving time as a soldier.
"A military commander…?" She glanced at Mr. Ages.
"Former military commander," he answered, "he retired and became a minister of military arms in the Bund years ago. He just returned from visiting his son."
"He has a son…?" Her eyes blinked.
"He HAD a son…, Racso Winford. The boy died in a concentration camp months after being captured." Mr. Ages shook his head.
"Oh my…, how terrible…" Elizabeth gasped, eyes saddened.
A minister of military arms, the former commander who lost his son from war crimes. She couldn't imagine the pain the man must have gone through. The pain of losing one's child, Mrs. Brisby couldn't dare to wonder if she lost her children as well.
Arriving at the building of the ministry hall, the intimidation she felt was immense.
"I'm sorry for coming in such a bad time, I suppose…" Elizabeth glanced down guiltily.
"No, ma'am," Justin smiled to her, "you are welcomed here. We just tend to take ourselves a bit too seriously."
She inwardly giggled as he made a playful wink, escorting her in the elevator as Mr. Ages pushed the button of the basement where the hall of meeting took place. Arriving at the destined floor, the three got off from the lift as Mr. Ages led them to the hallway as they could hear the voices from distance, in the meeting hall of council. Mr. Ages and Justin were able to recognize one of the voices, though. Tone that of a bitter and sardonic man of 40s full of distrust and anger.
"The Plan is nothing but folly! The ancient fool's hopeless fantasy! Prime Minister Nicodemus Jacobs would have us destroy this community, ONLY to lead our kind to starvation and vulnerability in some wilderness where humans could find us unprotected!"
"Good ol' Jenner." Justin sighed.
Elizabeth assumed that voice must be the former military commander. And, she knew well of the man's emotions. Years of burden as military officer at war, losing his son and perhaps, a lingering fondness towards the Bund. With a surfacing fury towards humans.
Both she and Justin noticed Mr. Ages had his ear, the side of his face, pressed against the closed door of the meeting chamber to hear the heated arguments without entering.
"Come now, you suspicious old goat…" Justin rolled his eyes, gently pushed the door open and nudged the old man to enter.
"If we stay here, the NIMH will find us in no time!" One of the council members shouted.
Elizabeth felt her heart heavy hearing the name of NIMH. It would always make her chest twist in unknown disgust.
"They'd destroy us on the spot!" The other council member added.
Some agreed with their words, expressing fear and concern of their future. Elizabeth then sees a man who stood at the center of the meeting hall. Black haired, combed, pale skin, tall and imposing figure who wore nearly black. His pair of green eyes glaring.
"NOT if we got them first!" the man suggested, his arm swiftly swung directly at the map that has the headquarters of NIMH marked.
"He means war!" The minister of transportation gasped.
"We'd be outnumbered!" The minister of education institutes claimed.
'He must be Minister Winford…' Elizabeth hid behind Justin instinctively.
The hall erupted with more arguments until the gavel was slammed to calm their outbursts.
"Hear me! The Thorn Valley Bund plan is an aspiration for IDIOTS and DREAMERS. We," he paused, noticing the trio from the entrance as he chuckled, "oh, we were just talking about you."
"That's refreshing, Minister Winford. Usually, you'd be screaming about us." Justin grinned, tone carefree.
Jenner's eyes twitched as a couple of ministers chuckled. However, the minister of military arms noticed a petite figure behind the captain of the guard.
"Who's that…? You know the rules, there are no visitors allowed here."
"Oh, she is no normal visitor," Mr. Ages spoke, "but an important guest."
Elizabeth peeked timidly as Mr. Ages moved to the side and Justin gestured grandly with a bow before the members of council and ministers.
"May we present… Mrs. Jonathan Brisby."
She nervously curtsied, forcing up a polite smile.
Majority of members blinked their eyes, then grew big. Disbelieved. This normal female human who was present before them, a widow of Jonathan Brisby.
"...M-M-M..MRS. BRISBY?!" The minister of counterintelligence stood abruptly.
A lot of gasps and murmurs filled the chamber the moment several ministers literally jumped back in shock, their backs hitting the wall rather hard enough to cause a crack. While some members of councils were uncomfortable to see the widow of Jonathan Brisby.
"Why, Jonathan Brisby died a year ago…"
"T-this must be a lie… he had a family?!"
"He had a WIFE?"
Jenner's eyes narrowed a bit, the only person who remained silent as he scanned the Brisby widow. Apparently, this woman has never heard of her husband's history as it explains the confusion on her face.
"So, this is what Father Stolas meant, by my husband's name not unknown…" she muttered to herself, unsure what to say to the council.
She then sees Mr. Ages who gave her a reassuring nod. With a small smile, she stayed close to Justin by the sidelines as the elder doctor went to the center of the hall.
"Halt! She has been to see Father Stolas, the pope of Goetia Cathedral."
The members of council and ministry were speechless, letting him continue.
"This is a once in lifetime opportunity, dear comrades," Mr. Ages added, "with the Thorn Valley Bund plan as we must leave the town. And, so is the Brisby family. Mrs. Brisby seeks new sanctuary for her four children, as one of them undergoes a mysterious illness."
Already, the hall was interrupted with heated debates and arguments as Elizabeth glanced down. Her fists clenched with anxiety. She has never been in a crowded place since her husband's funeral. Jenner turned to his followers, whispering something to them as his expressions remained unreadable.
Noticing the distress from Jonathan's widow, Justin's eyes softened. It felt like the same when he spotted her withdrawing herself and her children in the funeral of her husband when Jonathan's will was officially announced as several unpleasant councils complained loudly, offending the family by questioning their bloodline or lineage to the hero. He reached his hand and held hers firm and comforting. Glancing at his hand, she turned her gaze to him, feeling less nervous.
The hall went silent again. But not by the gavel. Mr. Ages glared suspiciously as Jenner approached Elizabeth. She was able to see the former military commander closer. The man's eyes seemed eerily calm, yet heavy bags under his eyes indicated restless burdens he carried by the duty and responsibility at battlefield and in the ministry. Those cold emerald eyes were not glaring, nor frowning. He got on his knees slowly, making an equal eye contact with her.
"Mrs. Brisby. I do not wish to pry further, but I wish to know… how old is your firstborn…?"
Elizabeth gulped a bit, but feeling she had to answer, she spoke.
"My daughter, Teresa…, she is eleven."
For a brief second, she noticed his green pupils trembled a bit.
"...my son was eleven when he was killed by the NIMH." Jenner stated, his composure untouched.
Her eyes widened a bit. At such a young age. If alive, he would have been several years older than Teresa.
"Forgive the ill-temper of my colleagues a year ago," he added with a polite bow, "I failed to save my son… but allow us to assist you as we have been in great debt of gratitude for your husband's heroic deeds."
Elizabeth remained still.
"I may be against Nicodemus' plan…, but to commemorate my best soldier Jonathan Brisby, I shall stay to make sure the Brisby family leaves the town safely," Jenner then grinned to her, "We are but your humble servants."
"...t-thank you." She responded, her voice small but still audible for him to hear.
Jenner gave her one last bow before resuming back to his ministry seat as soon, more members of councils and ministers expressed the agreements in assisting the Brisby family.
'He's up to something…,' Mr. Ages' eyebrows furrowed before turning to Justin, "take Mrs. Brisby to a library. We'll approach Nicodemus shortly after the meeting's over."
Justin held out his arm for Elizabeth, who shyly accepted the offer as two left the meeting hall. Mr. Ages spared a glance towards the minister of military arms before leaving as well.